Despite opposition from the local homebuilder association, the measure sailed through the green-minded political process.

With a fairly light agenda (and the usual brace of postponements), City Council was able to adjourn at the relatively civilized hour of 8:47pm Thursday night, following decisions that included requiring new construction to be “solar-ready” and continuing a contested curbside textile recycling program.

The “solar ready” proposal – arriving on the dais with five initial sponsors – will require new commercial and residential structures, beginning Oct. 1, to be built in such a way as to allow willing owners to install solar equipment (e.g., solar panels), mainly by clearing south-facing roofs of obstacles like vent pipes and covers, and the like.